Urine receptacle



May 24, 1960 L. SACHS URINE RECEPTACLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 29,1956 FIGJ.

INVENTOR LOU/5' SACHS May 24, 1960 L. SACHS URINE RECEPTACLE 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 29, 1956 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS U e Stat s a entURINE RECEPTACLE Louis Sachs, Marlborough Apts., Eutaw Place at WilsonSt., Baltimore 17, Md.

Filed Feb. 29, 1956, Ser. No. 568,527

8 Claims. (Cl. 128-295) This invention relates to urinals and moreparticularly to an improved urine receptacle'arranged to be worn by theuser.

The present invention has particular applicability for airmen, such asjet pilots or the like, who must remain in one positionfor long periodsof time without opportunity to relieve themselves. The problems inproviding a urine receptacle for such persons to wear are particularlyacute due to rapid acceleration and deceleration to which they aresubjected. 7

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a urinereceptacle which is particularly adapted to be worn by jet pilots andthe like and is effective to retain the urine without leakage underextreme conditions of acceleration and deceleration.

The present invention also hasgeneral applicability to male bedpatients. While the requirements for such patients are not as exactingas those for airmen, it is highly advantageous in both instances forhygienic reasons to provide a receptacle which can be producedeconomically enough to permit the same to be disposed after one use, ifdesired At the same time, the receptacle must perform its intendedfunction both efiiciently and effectively.

It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide aurine receptacle of the type described which may be economicallyproduced to such an extent as to permit disposal after a single use.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novelmethod of making urine receptacles which is more economical than themethods heretofore utilized.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of aurine receptacle of the type described which embodies an integral inletcheck valve of simple construction operable to permit ready entry of theurine, but'effective to prevent passage of the urine out of thereceptacle. 7 p f A further object of the present invention is theprovision of a urine receptacle of the type described having improvedmeansincorporated therein for absorbing and retaining the droplets o rdribblings which in the male always occur at the end of urination.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of aurine receptacle of the type described having improved means for rapidlyand evenly absorbing the urine discharged therein 'so as to prevent thesame from collecting in pools or the like.

' Astill further object of the present invention is the provision of aurine receptacle which is readily adjustable to'fitthe user.

These and other objects of the present invention will become moreapparent during'the course of the following detailed description andappended claims.

-' The invention may best be understood with reference to theaccompanying drawings wherein an illustrative embodiment is shown.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one form of aurine receptacle embodying the principles of the present invention andshowing the condition of the receptacle after one stage in the making ofthe same;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the receptacle shown in Figure 1illustrating the finished condition of the same;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the receptacle with parts broken awayfor the purpose of clearer illustration;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of another form of v urinereceptacle embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 5;and

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 77 of Figure 5.I

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown inFigures 1-4 one form of a urine receptacle,

generally indicated at 10, embodying the principles of 7 cut into asubstantial'trapezoidal configuration and opposed sideedges are fused orotherwise secured along marginal lines 16 and 18. One side edge of eachsheet may include an elongated projecting portion 20 which forms apocket for receiving an elongated strip of absorbent material 22. Thetwo sheets are then fused or otherwise secured together along aninterrupted line 24 enclosing the strip of material except at an innerposition intermediate its ends. This condition of the receptacle isshown in Figure 1 and it will be understood that while the trapezoidalshape is preferred due to its simplicity, other configurations of thereceptacle may be adopted, if desired, as will be hereinafter more fullyexplained. Likewise, thetwo sheets need not be initially separate but,may be formed from a single sheet folded over'. In such case, the foldline constitutes a line of securement between the two sheets produced.One essential condition however, is that the free ends of the. sheetsadjacent the piece of absorbent material be fused at both edges so thatthe ends will tend to remain in abutting relation to each other, for apurpose hereinafter to be more fully explained.

As shown in Figure l, the portion of the sheets12 and 14 adjacent thepiece of absorbent material 22 con-- stitutes a valve inlet portion 26while the remainder constitutes a receptacle portion 28. After thereceptacle has been formed into'the condition illustrated in Figure 1,the receptacle portion 26 is turned inside out with respect to the valveinlet portion 26 so as to embrace the latter, as shown in Figure 2.Next, the free ends of the receptacle portion are fused or otherwisesecured to-. gether along a marginal edge line 30 so as to enclose thereceptacle portion. Finally, suitable polyethylene straps 32 or the likemay be fused to the exterior surface of the receptacle so as to providea means for securing the same on the user.

It can thus be seen that a highly effective urine re.- ceptacle has beenprovided which can be made in a rela tively simple and highly economicalmanner. By male: ing the valve inlet portion26 and the receptacleportion 28 from integral sheets of polyethylene many advantages areobtained. Primarily, this feature effects a substantial saving in thecost of making the article in that the step of fusing together twoseparately fabricated portions is eliminated. In addition, no such lineof fusion or securement comes into contact with the user, since thejunction between the two portions is smooth and continuous. Moreover,the possibility of leakage at the juncture is eliminated with theintegral construction where failure is most likely to occur; namely, ator along a line of securement. Furthermore, the integral constructionrenders the receptacle readily adjustable to fit the requirements of theparticular user. That is, the length of the inlet valve portion canreadily be increased or decreased merely by moving the same further intoor out of the receptacle portion. ticular trapezoidal shape. wherein theside edges converge toward the inlet valve portion free ends not onlyfacilitates the turning inside out of the receptacle portion, butpermits adjustment of the width of the inlet Opening as well as thelength of the inlet.

In use, the receptacle is secured to the body of the wearer by tying orotherwise fastening, the straps 32 around the waist or adjacent area ofthe body with the penis disposed within the channel provided by theinlet valve portion of the sheets and the absorbent material therebelow.The free ends of the inlet portion 26 are normally urged into abuttingrelation due to the adjacent side edge lines of securement and thus actas an elfective check valve which permits the urine to readily passtherebetween into the receptacle portion, but prevent passage of theurine out of the receptacle portion once it has been received therein.Preferably, the piece of absorbent material is disposed in the lowerportion of the inlet channel during use so that after urination anydroplets or dribblings will be absorbed thereby. In this manner, theabsorbent material of the present invention insures that the portion ofthe receptacle which contacts the user will remain in a substantiallydry condition thus creating a more sanitary condition and preventingpossible skin irritation due to a prolonged contact of urine therewith.

There is shown in Figures 5 and 6 a modified form of a urine receptacle,generally indicated at 33, embodying the principles of the presentinvention which is particularly adapted to be used by jet fliers and thelike. This receptacle is made of the same material and in substantiallythe same manner as the receptacle 10 shown in Figures 1-4. As best shownin Figure 5, the receptacle 33 is illustrated as being made out of asingle piece of polyethylene folded over itself to form two superposedsheets 34 and 36. The two superposed sheets are thus secured togetheralong one longitudinal edge by means of the fold line. The sheets arepreferably formed in the shape of an inverted U having a projectingportion 38 extending upwardly therefrom in alignment with one of thelegs of the U. The upper end of the projecting portion 38 constitutes aninlet valve portion 40 similar to the inlet valve portion 26 of theembodiment disclosed in Figures 1-4 and the remainder of the sheetsconstitutes the receptacle portion. The free edges of the superposedsheets opposite the fold line arefirst fused together in the mannerpreviously indicated and then the receptacle portion turned inside outwith respect to the inlet valve portion 40. The latter may have opposedstrips of absorbent material 42 secured therein, as by strips 43.

A piece of absorbent material 44 of general U-shaped construction isthen disposed between the sheets of the receptacle portion and finallythe remaining free edges of the latter are fused together to enclose thereceptacle portion. While any suitable absorbent material may beutilized within the receptacle portion, the utilization of lufla ispreferred. LuflFa is a plant of the cucumber family whose iruit is ofgourd-like form having an interior structure of interlaced fibers whichare light,- but strong.

In this'regard, the par- The pulp may be removed when soft as by washingthe same from the over-ripe fruit without damaging the interior fiberstructure. When the pulp and core of the fruit are removed, the tubularfibrous wall may be cut longitudinally and flattened into sheet-likeform and subsequently compressed, if desired.

The plant having the fruit, as referred to above, has been defined inthe prior literature as being of the botanical family of Cucurbitaceaegenus Luflia and species Acuzangula cylindrica or aegyptica. It is foundin the Antilles and generally throughout the tropics and in the Orient,including the Philippine Islands and Japan. The fibrous structure is ofopen-like character with the fibers separated and interlaced to providea structure which is relatively rigid when dry. When wet the materialsoftens somewhat, but retains some rigidity and may be compressed tosheet form and molded to shape, if desired, and when it dries it willretain the molded shape. Dry lulfa material has the property ofabsorbing moisture of 6 to 8 times its own weight without dripping andis selfdrying from a completely wet condition within 4 or 5 hours whenexposed. The relatively rigid characteristic of the fibrous structuremakes the same particularly applicable to the present invention. Ofcourse, the absorbing characteristic of the material is equal, if notgreater than other absorbent materials, such as cotton or the like. Italso compares favorably in cost. An.- other favorable characteristic ofthe material is that its fiber orientation runs generally longitudinallyand, hence, a more rapid and given dispersion and difliusion of theurine is possible. This rapid and even dispersion of the liquid and theconfiguration of the receptacle portion, which follows in the trouserlegs mainly behind the limbs, effectively prevents the centrifugalaction of any collection of fluid from injurying the wearer as a resultof excessive impacts and shocks during jet flight.

In order to support the receptacle on the user, upper straps 46 aresuitably secured to the upper end of the projecting portion 38 andstraps 48 are suitably fused or otherwise secured to each leg of thereceptacle por tion. In use, the receptacle 33 shown in Figures 5 and 6is worn in the same manner as the receptacle 10, previously described.However, the U-shaped configuration of the receptacle portion isarranged to be attached to the legs of the user by means of the straps48 which may be secured around the ankles or legs. It will be understoodthat button snaps, clips or the like may be utilized in lieu of thestraps 48. These may be attached to cooperating snaps on the lowerportion of the wearers pants. The receptacle 33 is thus specificallysuited for use by jet pilots and others who must remain in one positionfor considerable periods of time without the opportunity to relievethemselves. The need for an effective urine receptacle in the case ofjet pilots is particularly acute. The requirements of long non-stopflights, which are becoming increasingly more frequent, make theprovision of an eflective urine receptacle of great importance. It willbe understood that due to the many rapid changes in speed, thepossibility of leakage in the case of the ordinary urinals is quiteprevalent. However, with the present invention this consideration iseffectively overcome. In addition, the present receptacle obtains all ofthe advantages set forth in regard to the receptacle disclosed inFigures l-4.

The provision of a place of luffa material within the receptacle portionto absorb the urine is particularly effective in that the same isoperable to rapidly and evenly absorb as much as a quart of urinewithout the formation of any pools in the receptacle portion. Thislatter amount is generally sufiicient to take care of the normal flow ofurine within a 24-hour period. The economical production of the presentreceptacle renders the same susceptible to being disposed of after oneuse and it is contemplated that a flier can apply the receptacle beforea long flight and wear the same throughout the flight and after landing.The particular shape of the receptacle cakes the same easy to wear underthe pilots flight suit. Moreover, when urine is contained within thereceptacle portion, the lufia serves to retain the same so that it ispossible to move around and walk without danger'of leakage. In thisregard, it will be noted that the projecting portion 38 is aligned withone of the legs of the U-shaped receptacle portion and, hence, offsetfrom the central axis of the receptacle. By reversing the receptacle theprojecting portion, within which the inlet valve portion is disposed,may be made to fit on either side of the longitudinal seam of the flightsuit or other apparel to suit the particular requirements of the wearer,depending upon which side of his trousers he dresses or carries hispenis and testicles. In this regard, the provision of opposed absorbentstrips makes the receptacle truly reversible in that a piece ofabsorbent material will be disposed below the penis in either position.

It thus will be seen that the objects of this invention have been fullyand effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however, that theforegoing specific embodiment has been shown and described only for thepurpose of illustrating the principles of this invention and is subjectto extensive change without departure from such principles. Therefore,this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spiritand scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A urine receptacle comprising a pair of superposed sheets of thinflexible water-proof material shaped to define a receptacle portion anda narrow inlet valve portion extending therefrom and integral therewith,the receptacle portion of said sheets being secured together along theiredges and the inlet valve portion-of said sheets being secured togetheralong converging spaced edge lines extending from said receptacleportion toward the end of said inlet valve portion so as to provideabutting free ends, said inlet valve portion extending inwardly betweenthe sheets of said receptacle portion with said free ends acting as acheck valve permitting urine to pass therebetween into the receptacleportion but effectively preventing the passage of urine out of saidreceptacle portion, the flexibility of said material and the convergenceof the lines of securement of said inlet valve portion being such thatthe extent of the inlet valve portion between the sheets of saidreceptacle portion varies in response to the requirements of theparticular user.

2. A urine receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said receptacleportion is of inverted U-shaped eonfigu' ration.

3. A urine receptacle as defined in claim 2, wherein an invertedU-shaped sheet of lufla is disposed between the receptacle portion ofsaid sheets.

4. A urine receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said receptacleportion is trapezoidal in shape.

5. A device of the type described comprising an elongated flexiblewater-proof receptacle having an inlet opening at its upper end, a pairof superposed sheets of thin flexible material secured at one end tosaid inlet opening and extending within said receptacle, said sheetshaving their side edges secured together so as to provide an inletchannel having a pair of free ends operable to permit passage of urineinto said receptacle but effectively prevent passage of the same out ofsaid receptacle, flexible sheet means defining a pocket adjacent saidinlet channel and communicating with the lower portion thereof, and apiece of absorbent material disposed in said pockets in a position tocommunicate the same with the lower portion of said channel. Y

6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said shee are integral withsaid receptacle.

7. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said receptacle is ofinverted U-shaped configuration having a portion extending upwardly fromone of its legs for receiving said inlet channel defining sheets.

8. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein an inverted U-shaped sheet oflufla is disposed in said receptacle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 35,338Vedder May 20, 1862 1,113,605 Desloge Oct. 13, 1914 2,516,391 Jolly July25, 1950 2,640,484 Johnson June 2, 1953 2,687,130 Cohen Aug. 24, 19542,796,864 Johnson June 25, 1957 2,816,551 Raiche Dec. 17, 1957 FOREIGNPATENTS 365,707 Italy Dec. 10, 1938 697,398 Germany Oct. 12, 1940 OTHERREFERENCES Hannan: Textile Fibers of Commerce, Louson, Charles Griflinand Company, LMTD, 1902, pages 33-34. (Copy available in Div. 21.)

